13 arcade bars and other places to play video games around Tampa Bay

July 11,2018 05:23

Video games are fun to play alone, at home, against online foes and allies you only know via their gamer tags. We're not begrudging anyone that. But let's not forget they're also fun to play, and watch, and talk about (and trash-talk about) in person ...

1 of 4 Pints & Pixels gaming night takes place at Brew Bus Brewing in Tampa. Event organizer NerdBrew brings out classic game consoles that are free to play. [Courtesy of NerdBrew]2 of 4 Pints & Pixels gaming night takes place at Brew Bus Brewing in Tampa. Event organizer NerdBrew brings out classic game consoles that are free to play. [Courtesy of NerdBrew]3 of 4 Pints & Pixels gaming night takes place at Brew Bus Brewing in Tampa. Event organizer NerdBrew brings out classic game consoles that are free to play. [Courtesy of NerdBrew]4 of 4 Pints & Pixels gaming night takes place at Brew Bus Brewing in Tampa. Event organizer NerdBrew brings out classic console games that are free to play. [Courtesy of NerdBrew]

1 of 4 Super Mario Bros. 3 is one of the many games available to play at the Church of Nintendo. They set up TVs with consoles and game controllers so patrons can play their favorite games from the 1980's and 90's. [JAMES BORCHUCK | Times]2 of 4 First United Church of Nintendo meets at various bars around Tampa Bay. [Courtesy of FUCN]3 of 4 The First United Church of Nintendo setup at Vector Bar & Arcade in Clearwater includes classic console games hooked to TVs inside the bar. First United Church of Nintendo hosts the event weekly at Vector on Wednesday nights. [Courtesy of FUCN]4 of 4 Lowry Parcade hosts First United Church of Nintendo on Thursdays with free pizza. [Courtesy of First United Church of Nintendo.]

1 of 6 WILL VRAGOVIC | Times Over 50 televisions promise to have all the games covered in the bar area at Dave & Buster's in Brandon, Fla. on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017.2 of 6 WILL VRAGOVIC | Times Football field yard markers set off the sports bar area at Dave & Buster's in Brandon, Fla. on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017.3 of 6 WILL VRAGOVIC | Times Skee-Ball machines line one wall at Dave & Buster's in Brandon, Fla. on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017.4 of 6 WILL VRAGOVIC | Times Bartender Calatha Spruill, 25, fills containers of straws during a practice day where servers took turns testing menu items and procedures at Dave & Buster's in Brandon, Fla. on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017.5 of 6 WILL VRAGOVIC | Times Crispy Nashville Style Hot Chicken (14.79) at Dave & Buster's in Brandon, Fla. on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017.6 of 6 Arcade games line the floor in front of the rentable private rooms at Dave & Buster's in Tampa. [WILL VRAGOVIC | Times]

1 of 2 GameTime in Ybor City features a bar in the center that's separated by glass from the arcade area. [Courtesy of GameTime]2 of 2 GameTime in Ybor City features a full service restaurant, sports bar and arcade. [Courtesy of GameTime]

1 of 4 A lighted sign that says "reboot" in Mandarin is seen next to a mural by Bask inside of Reboot Dunedin. The space isn't finished yet, but the video game bar expects to be open by mid August. [Christopher Spata |Times]2 of 4 An interactive art installation at Reboot Dunedin will feature playable classic console games. Elsewhere in the bar, patrons will be able to rent a controller for $5 and play Xbox One or Playstation 4 on any open TV. . [Christopher Spata |Times]3 of 4 An interactive art installation at Reboot Dunedin will feature playable classic console games. Elsewhere in the bar, patrons will be able to rent a controller for $5 and play Xbox One or Playstation 4 on any open TV. [Christopher Spata |Times]4 of 4